Firoz Cachalia reveals over R3.7 billion spent on VIP and static security

ACTING Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, has revealed that the South African government spent more than R3.7 billion on VIP and static protection services during the 2024/25 financial year.

- HOPE NTANZI

This amount, which includes R2.29bn allocated for VIP protection and an additional R1.42bn for static protection, was disclosed in response to a parliamentary question posed by ActionSA MP, Alan Beesley. Beesley had asked for details about the financial allocations for protecting the President, Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and international dignitaries, specifically querying the actual, current, and projected expenditure on these services for the 2024/25, 2025/26, and 2026/27 financial years.

The figure, which represents a significant portion of the national budget, is projected to rise even further. This ongoing rise in expenditure highlights what ActionSA describes as the “unchecked growth of executive perks”.

By the 2026/27 financial year, total expenditure on protection services is expected to exceed R4bn, which has prompted sharp criticism from ActionSA, who argue that the government is prioritising the protection of political elites over essential public services.

“This stark disparity lays bare the GNU’s skewed priorities, favouring executive protection and luxury over strengthening institutions tasked with holding the powerful to account,’ said Beesley.